Occupation – the official definition

Occupation – official definition

Many people think of “occupation” as being a paid job.  However occupational therapists use the term in the widest sense of the word.  The definition of occupation, that is accepted by members of the New Zealand Association of Occupational Therapists is from Townsend, E. (Ed). (1997).  Enabling occupation: An occupational therapy perspective.  Ottawa: CAOT Publications ACE:

“…occupation is everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure), and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their community (productivity)”.